Tom Curry argues that Six Nations slump does not define England as a team

Tom Curry is ready to shed blood and sweat to get England back to winning ways – and France will know he means it.

On their last Six Nations visit to Twickenham the French were on the wrong end of a hiding in what for a time resembled a bloodbath.

Only all the blood came from the forehead of Curry, who required six stitches, in what became known as his ‘Terry Butcher’ moment.

“That seems ages ago,” said the Sale star, recalling blood-soaked images which frightened his mum and drew comparisons with England footballer Butcher during a World Cup qualifier against Sweden in 1989.

“The scar has cleared up, thanks for asking! We're also a different team. It's all about this week and it’s really exciting to get stuck into a new challenge.”

Defence coach John Mitchell insists Curry and team mates will be “playing on the edge” against Fabian Galthie’s unbeaten side.

Only pride is at stake following defeats to Scotland and Wales which ended their title defence with two rounds still to play.

But Curry refuses to accept that England have become a bad side.

“A couple of games doesn’t define you as a team,” said the flanker. “Sport is sport and so is life, it’s never going to be up all the way up, it’s never going to be perfect.

“The mark of where a team is and the feeling we are as a team is how much growth we have and how much excitement we can get from times like this.”

This is the message England are to keen to convey this week; that being in a hole is actually a fabulous opportunity to find their best performance.

It means not publicly confronting the truth that their form has fallen off a cliff and they are a shadow of the side which pummelled France on Curry’s blood-splattered Six Nations debut two years ago.

Consider that that day Jonny May scored a hat-trick in 30 minutes, England led 30-8 at half-time – a lead they extended to 44-8 by close of play – and, perhaps most tellingly of all, they conceded just four penalties.

Compare that with this championship in which Eddie Jones’ charges have gifted the opposition a whopping 42 in three games.

It is a different time, as Curry said. But not a different team. Twelve of England's starting line-up that day began last week's defeat in Cardiff.

England have addressed the issue by working this week with leading referees Wayne Barnes and Matt Carley.

“It has not been good enough and there is an element of individual responsibility,” Curry acknowledged. “As a team, we aren't afraid to be honest with it.

“We have to make sure we address it, but at the same time we have to keep pushing, learning and developing other areas of the game.”

Champions Exeter have been drawn at home to Lyon in the last 16 of rugby’s European Cup.

The extra knockout round has been added after two weeks of pool matches were cancelled due to coronavirus.

Victory for Chiefs would set up a quarter-final clash against either Leinster or Toulon, both multiple former winners.

ROUND OF 16

(Weekend of April 2/3/4)

Munster v Toulouse

Gloucester v La Rochelle

Wasps v Clermont Auvergne

Exeter v Lyon

Leinster v Toulon

Bordeaux-Bègles v Bristol

Racing 92 v Edinburgh

Scarlets v Sale

QUARTER-FINALS

(Weekend of April 9/10/11)

Exeter/Lyon v Leinster/Toulon

Wasps/Clermont v Munster/Toulouse

Gloucester/La Rochelle v Scarlets/Sale

Bordeaux-Bègles/Bristol v Racing 92/Edinburgh

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